Also known as Japanese Cedar · 991 gardener saves
Cryptomeria: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cryptomeria, the genus most gardeners know as japanese cedar. We track 23 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Cryptomeria varieties
Of 23 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedJapanese Cedar Sekkan
Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan'
#2 most savedGolden Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Aurea'
#3 most savedMitama Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Mitama'
Japanese Cedar Yellow Twig
Cryptomeria japonica 'Yellow Twig'
Spiraliter Falcata Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Spiraliter Falcata'
Japanese Cedar Taisho Tamasugi
Cryptomeria japonica 'Taisho Tamasugi'
Japanese Cedar Jindai
Cryptomeria japonica 'Jindai'
Vilmorin Dwarf Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Vilmoriniana'
Knaptonensis Japanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Knaptonensis'
Black Dragon Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria japonica 'Black Dragon'
Japanese Cryptomeria Araucarioides
Cryptomeria japonica 'Araucarioides'
Japanese Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria japonica 'Compressa'
Browse all 23 Cryptomeria varieties →
How to grow Cryptomeria
What the Cryptomeria varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 23 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cryptomeria year
- FertilizeMarch91% of varieties
Fertilize only if growth is weak, using a balanced slow-release formula.
- PruneFebruary87% of varieties
Remove dead or damaged wood in late winter; shape lightly if necessary.
- MulchMarch and October70% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch to retain soil moisture.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October57% of varieties
Plant in early spring or early fall for best establishment.
- Check for PestsMay–July35% of varieties
Check for spider mites during hot, dry weather.
Do
- Prune lightly to maintain shape
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize late in the season
- Avoid overwatering ❌
- Don't plant in waterlogged soil ❌
What goes wrong with Cryptomeria
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mites | Foliage may appear stippled, bronzed, or dirty; fine webbing may be present. | Spray with a strong jet of water. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, ensuring good coverage. |
| Scale insects | Yellowing or wilting leaves | Use horticultural oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Cercospora Leaf Blight | Browning of needles, starting on lower, inner branches and progressing upwards and outwards. | Improve air circulation by proper spacing. Prune out and destroy infected branches. Apply a copper-based fungicide if necessary. |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage, soft roots | Improve drainage, reduce watering, apply fungicide |
Making more Cryptomeria
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in partial shade for 8 weeks until established.
Seeds
- Collect seeds in fall after cones mature.
- Sow in well-drained soil in spring.
- Keep soil moist and provide partial shade.
- Germination occurs in 4-8 weeks.
Cryptomeria questions
How many types of Cryptomeria are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 23 distinct Cryptomeria varieties. The most popular — ranked by 991 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cryptomeria grow in?
Across its varieties, Cryptomeria covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cryptomeria bloom?
Most Cryptomeria varieties bloom in early spring, late winter, late fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cryptomeria should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cryptomeria shows up in
Design with Cryptomeria in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
